Friday, December 21, 2007

Is It Really A Gift?


This has always been something that has bothered me and I figured that I should get it posted before Christmas for obvious reasons: the commercials showing a husband or wife being surprised by their spouse with a new car as a gift.

It looks really innocent. It also looks overly generous. But is it really a "gift"? I could see the 'giver' picking it up the day before for a 'test drive' and putting the bow on it (I guess cbows.com sells them specifically for cars) only if Billy or Betty have been nagging said giver about needing a new car and having a certain make and model in mind. But, is it a gift if the 'receiver' must continue to make payments on it? Isn't the 'giver' just signing you up for payments for 5 years? When I see those commercials, I figure that the advertiser really doesn't understand that not everyone can plop down $20,000+ on a loved one this holiday season/birthday/anniversary. I also expect to see an accurate commercial where the 'receiver' turns to the 'giver' and asks, "How much are the payments?"

Mind you, I have considered similar gifts in the past. I love my Tivo and my Sirius radio but, if I gave it to someone as a gift, they must make monthly payments of $12 or more. What kind of crappy present forces a 'receiver' to pay for it?

3 comments:

Ken said...

Amy and I have had those same conversations. I had an old boss "buy" his wife a new Celica for Christmas, but I think he fronted the downpayment and she REALLY wanted the new car.

LoraLoo said...

Isn't a car such as the Mercedes along the lines of "If you have to ask how much it is... you can't afford it?"

I don't know that I'd be too thrilled about a gift that keeps on takin'. :)

Anonymous said...

I've always been slightly annoyed by these kind of commercials. Mostly because the average person could not afford such an extravagant gift.

I feel the same about the commercials where the husband surprises the wife with some boring cookie-cutter diamond necklace. At least pick something out that has more visual interest than a circle or S-curve.